What is parole? How does it work in Maryland?

As someone on parole, you may be curious about what will happen at your hearing and what you can do to stay on the law’s good side while you finish your sentence. Parole hearings are opportunities for you to discuss and present your case and why you should be allowed out of prison or jail on parole. Your past criminal history and other factors will help the court determine if you should be able to be released on parole.

When a decision is made, you will either be given or denied parole. It will take approximately 21 days for the decision about your parole to come through the system and to be delivered to you. During that time, you may be kept in prison or under house arrest depending on your situation.

If you don’t agree with the parole decision, you are able to appeal it just like any other decision a court makes. You may be given a new hearing in some cases, especially if it can be proven that the court did not act fairly. You have 30 days to request an appeal in your case and after that, you may have to wait for your parole to come up again.

Once you’re on parole, you are able to work again. Any kind of legitimate employment opportunity is acceptable by the courts. Full-time work is always preferable to the courts, but if you can only get part-time work, this is also good. Any job that is stationery — as in you don’t have to travel regularly to do your job — is likely to be approved by the courts.

When it comes to parole, there are many questions you may have. Speaking with someone familiar with the laws in Maryland can help you make the best decision about parole or to appeal parole in the case that it’s denied.